City of Boiled Beans

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"To awaken in a strange town is one of the most pleasant sensations in the world." - Freya Stark

Apparently, Bangalore got its name after an old woman served a bowl of boiled beans to a lost Hoysala king in the 16th century. Therefore Bangalore represents a 'city of boiled beans'.

It was an effortless train ride to get here, fell asleep at night and woke up to Bangalore. This city is the science and technology capital of India, which pushes for modernisation in all directions. There are anti-pollution campaigns, big names such as Pizza Hut, McDonalds, KFC, Levis, and impressive glass and stone buildings, which tower over the broad streets and leave the impression that important modern business dutys are carried out within them. I like it here. There is a nice buzz to the city, almost like the city is pleased with itself for is movement and progression.

The traffic, however, is a mind-boggling phenomena.
Yellow and black autorickshaws swarm all over the road like angrey bumblebees. Crammed in between these busy bees, are cars, motorcycles (with large families on them), bycyles, vans, buses, trucks, pedestrians, and anything else mobile, all tootin-happy.

At the few traffic lights that exist, there is a large count down timer to the green light (it's certain death if your still on the road at that point). Trying to cross this 5 way junction, before the timer runs out, surrounded from every angle of roaring motors anxious to speed ahead is an experience in itself. We tiptoe onto the street, Ross clocks the timer and shouts "6,5,4,3..." I let out a little yelp and we pick up the pace; all of us desperatley trying to appear as the cool and street-wise people we really are.

Everytime i cross the road, and make it to the otherside alive, im a little surpirsed and eternally greatful.
I love it!

We have visited the Botanical gardens, Bull Temple, and many funky bars including the NASA bar which interior looks like the inside of a spaceship, Le Rock, which has flavored oxegen to inhale (cures a hangover apparnetly) and watched the new James Bond film, Casino Royal. Me and Soph also went to a nightclub (which finishes at 11:30 in accordance with the law) It was ace there, It felt like it was in 8 mile Eminem film, there were dance offs and people jumping on the stage rapping, the crowd was stomping and jumping. Was very cool.

My favorite momment of Bangalore, has to be taking part in a Free Speech demonstration, where any one could paint anything their hearts desired on a massive cardboard box in the middle of the street. I, of course, wrote FREE TIBET.

So many of the signs in this city read, "Bangalore, Its great to be here" which make me smile in agreement. I think the longer you stay here, the more layers of the city unfolds, and im starting to understand more what Bangalore is really about. However, we have now eaten too many pizzas and subway sandwhiches as well as induldging in the all the treats the city has to offer. Our time is running out now and we are all preparing ourselves to do a "quick-fire" round South India.

"Chello-Chello!"
(Lets go, Lets go!)

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Comments

[Dad]

Money
Emma-chan, Love your notes on life, makes me want to retire now and join you ... xx

[Monkey Mike]

Sounds familiar
Emma-chan / Ken. The "Dad: Money" title looks and sounds familiar! Emma-chan - did you get hold of Sazoo?

[Jennifer Cairns]

I found it!
I found your travel diary at long last! Makes me want to cry! (half because i'm jealous, half cos i miss you!)